WO2015043854A9

WO2015043854A9 - Device for changing the jet shape of flowable products

Info

Publication number: WO2015043854A9
Application number: PCT/EP2014/068049
Authority: WO
Inventors: Johannes Hortmanns; Christian Rabe
Original assignee: Sig Technology Ag
Priority date: 2013-09-30
Filing date: 2014-08-26
Publication date: 2015-06-25
Also published as: TR201904051T4; US9909290B2; CN105593122A; ES2715886T3; WO2015043854A1; PL3052387T3; CN105593122B; US20160236924A1; RU2016116989A; JP2016536232A; EP3052387A1; MX2016003930A; AU2014327639A1; EP3052387B1; BR112016006529A2; DE102013110774A1; JP6408589B2

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (14) for changing the jet shape of flowable products, in particular foods, comprising: an inflow region (16) for the inflow of the flowable products, an outflow region (17) for the outflow of the flowable products, and a plurality of channels (18) for conducting the flowable products, wherein each channel (18) comprises an inlet (19) associated with the inflow region (16) and an outlet (20) associated with the outflow region (17), wherein the inlets (19) jointly form an inflow surface (30), which lies in the inflow region (16) and has a width (B) and a height (H), and wherein the outlets (20) jointly form an outflow surface (32), which lies in the outflow region (17) and which has a width (B') and a height (H'). In order reduce splattering during the filling of packages having a cross-section that is not rotationally symmetrical, the outflow surface (32) according to the invention is not rotationally symmetrical.

Description

Device for changing the jet shape of flowable products

The invention relates to a device for changing the jet shape of flowable products, in particular of foods, comprising: an inlet region for the entry of the flowable products, an outlet region for the outlet of the flowable products, and a plurality of channels for the passage of the flowable products, each channel a the inlet region having associated inlet and an outlet associated with the outlet area; wherein the inlets collectively form an entrance surface having a width and a height lying in the entry region, and wherein the outlets together form an exit surface lying in the exit region with a width and a height.

The invention also relates to the use of such a device for filling food, in particular for the aseptic filling of

Food.

Numerous possibilities are known in the field of packaging technology; To fill flowable products in the designated packaging. The flowable products may be, for example, foods such as milk, fruit juice, sauces or yoghurt. As packaging can

For example, composite packages are used with layers of cardboard and plastic.

An important step in the filling of the packaging is to fill the flowable products as quickly as possible in the packaging in order to achieve a fast timing and thus high volumes can. Despite the high flow rate, however, the filling should be done largely without spattering and foaming in order to meet the hygienic requirements and to avoid contamination on the packaging or the filling machine. Particularly high hygienic requirements occur in foods that are filled under sterile, ie germ-free conditions.

The high requirements can only be met if the Befällvorgang to individual factors such as the properties of the filled

Product and the volume as well as the shape of the packaging is adjusted. The adjustment regularly includes a setting of the flow rate and the flow rate In addition, often the filling nozzle is adapted to the product to be filled and the packaging and, where appropriate

Because the filling nozzle significantly determines the shape and the

Speed profile of the filling jet. In addition, the filling nozzle is responsible for a drip-free filling. For this purpose, the volume flow before exiting the filling nozzle is often divided into several sub-streams which are passed through individual channels. This has the advantage that the product to be filled comes into contact with a larger wall surface whereby the rest of the product to be filled is safely held in the channels when the filling is interrupted and does not drip uncontrollably onto the packaging or the filling machine ("capillary action").

Many of the known filling nozzles have a housing with a round

Cross sectional area. In addition, both the inlet surface and the outlet surface of known filling nozzles are often round in shape. The round housing allows the filling nozzles to be easily inserted in any desired rotated position in known filling machines. Through the round entrance and exit surfaces is a

Fill jet generated whose cross section is also round

A filling nozzle for filling foodstuffs is known, for example, from EP 2 078 678 A1. For dividing the volume flow, the filling nozzle shown there has an exchangeable, round and thus rotationally symmetrical plate with numerous holes. The holes are cylindrically shaped and run parallel to each other in order to produce with the plate a particularly straight filling jet ( _" flow straightening plate"). While the inlets of the holes lie in a plane, the Outlets of the holes arranged on a curved surface; so that the holes - viewed in the direction of flow - are of different lengths. By varying the length of the holes, the flow velocity should be influenced.

In particular, the flow velocity in the middle of the filling jet should be slowed down more by longer holes and the consequent higher friction than in the edge regions of the filling jet.

The filling nozzle known from EP 2078678 A1 has several disadvantages. First, due to the two-part construction, the plate must be sealed against the body of the filling nozzle. In the gap to be sealed between the plate and the body product residues can deposit, which is hygienically problematic Another disadvantage is the different length of the holes. Because a curved

Outlet area of the plate causes the sub-streams of the product to be filled at different times detach from the underside of the plate and also exposed to a different size drop height to the bottom of the package. Those partial streams that are passed through shorter holes and earlier detach from the underside of the plate become earlier

Fall acceleration exposed as those part streams, which are still in the longer holes at this time. Due to the different fall heights of the partial flows they are accelerated in free fall for different lengths and reach a different rate of increase in speed. This has the consequence that the speed profile set on the underside of the plate is changed again in free fall. The relevant for the spattering

Speed profile when impact of the filling jet on the bottom of the package can therefore be adjusted very imprecise with the proposed solution.

Another disadvantage of the filling nozzle known from EP 2078678 A1 - and other comparable filling nozzles - is that these filling nozzles exclusively

Can produce fillets with a round cross-sectional area. This is due in particular to the arrangement of the holes in a round plate. Round filling jets are also desired in many cases. First, the round shape is that shape which in the free fall of the jet due to the surface tension (cohesion) in the flowable product anyway forms in addition to the fact that the housing of most filling nozzles are round shaped to be used in the - usually also round - recordings known filling machines.

Finally, round cross sections represent the fluidically optimal shape because they offer the lowest surface area and thus the lowest flow resistance relative to the size of the cross-sectional area.

For packages with a round base, such as bottles, round filling jets are also considered to be advantageous in terms of spattering. However, many packages have non-rotationally symmetric, for example

rectangular bases on. With these packages, a round filling jet can lead to problems. Because a circular filling jet has geometry due to the filling of packaging with a rectangular base area to two of the side walls a much smaller distance than walls to the other two sides. This leads to an uneven shielding of spatters occurring: The two side walls lying close to the jet shield quite well at a steep angle and prevent their escape from the packaging. However, the two sidewalls further away from the beam can no longer shield splashes that move upwards in an equally angular position. There is therefore a risk that these splashes leak out of the packaging and contaminate the packaging or the filling machine. This can result in that the packaging, for example a cardboard / plastic composite packaging, is contaminated in the area in which it is to be closed later by welding. In the area of contamination, however, no reliable welded connection can be generated, so that the packaging can no longer be tightly sealed and must be sorted out. If the leak is not detected immediately, it can leak

Packaging may contaminate parts of the filling machine or other packaging during further processing or during transport. Since many foods must be bottled under sterile, ie germ-free conditions Such contamination of the filling machine make a complicated cleaning and re-sterilization of the entire filling machine required.

During this time, no bottling can be done, making it too

Loss of Production Conversely, contamination of other packaging can result in larger units or pallets of packaging becoming unsaleable. Even single leaking from the packaging splashes can therefore cause significant problems.

The invention is therefore based on the object to design the above-mentioned and previously described device in such a way and further that reduces the formation of spatter during the filling of packages with non-rotationally symmetrical cross-section

This object is achieved in a device according to the preamble of claim 1, characterized in that the exit surface is non-rotationally symmetrical

A device according to the invention is initially characterized by a

Entry area for entry of the flowable products and by a

Outlet area to exit the flowable products. Between the

Each of the channels has an inlet, which is assigned to the inlet area. In addition, each of the channels has an outlet, which is assigned to the outlet area. The inlets together form one in the inlet area and the outlet area

Entry area lying inlet surface and the outlets together form a discharge area located in the exit area. The device according to the invention may for example be made of metal, in particular of steel, preferably stainless steel.

According to the invention, the exit surface is non-rotationally symmetrical. The

Symmetry is considered with respect to the central axis of the device. The shape of the exit surface has a significant influence on the shape of the cross-sectional area the exiting Füllstrahls- The invention therefore provides a departure from known, rotationally symmetrical cross-sections. Instead, an exit surface is selected which is not rotationally symmetrical and in particular is not circular. The exit surface can be quadrangular, in particular rectangular or square-shaped. Likewise, the entrance surface may be quadrangular, in particular rectangular or square shaped. Although the shape of the entrance surface determines the shape of the filler jet less than the shape of the exit surface. However, a correspondingly shaped entrance surface has the advantage that the shape of the - connecting the entrance surface with the exit surface - channels can be made simpler and the flowing through the channels partial flows must be less deflected.

The inventive design of the exit and / or entrance surface produces a filler jet whose cross-sectional area is likewise non-rotationally symmetrical but, for example, quadrangular in shape. In freefall, the cross-sectional area changes again in the direction of a round cross-section due to the surface tension. However, it has surprisingly been found that at relatively short drop heights - as they are common in most packaging - the non-rotationally symmetric cross-sectional area of the filling jet is at least partially preserved. The invention is therefore based on the principle, the geometry of the filler jet to the base of the filling To adapt packaging.

According to one embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the height of the

Exit surface is greater than their width. According to this embodiment, therefore, an exit surface is selected whose size in the two perpendicular to each other

extending main directions is different The exit surface can be shaped approximately rectangular, for example. Preferably, the height of the

Exit surface at least 1.3 times, in particular at least 1.4 times greater than their width. Similarly, the height of the entrance surface may be greater than its width. The height of the entrance surface is preferably at least 1.3 times, in particular at least 1.4 times greater than its width. A development of the invention provides that the inlets and / or the outlets of the channels are arranged in one plane. The arrangement of the inlets in a plane has the advantage that all inlets can be sealed simultaneously by a particularly simple-shaped, in particular by a flat sealing element. The arrangement of the outlets in a plane has the advantage that all partial flows simultaneously detach from the underside of the device and thus at the same time be exposed to the acceleration of gravity. Preferably, the plane in which the inlets of the channels are arranged is parallel to the plane in which the outlets of the channels are arranged. This has - at least in straight channels - the advantage that the channels are the same length and thus the friction-induced slowing down of the partial flows in all channels is about the same size

According to a further teaching of the invention it is provided that the inlets and / or the outlets of the off-center channels are arranged in a circle on rings around the central axis of the device. By an off-center channel is meant any channel that does not extend along the central axis of the device. According to this teaching, multiple channels may be arranged such that their inlets and / or outlets are equidistant from the central axis. In this way, a uniformly shaped filling jet can be produced. An embodiment of the invention provides that the inlets and / or the outlets are arranged on the outermost ring in two opposite and separate groups. In other words, the outermost ring is not completely filled with inlets / outlets. By virtue of this configuration, it is achieved that, despite the generally annular arrangement of the inlets and / or outlets, an entry surface and / or an exit surface is made possible whose width and height are different. By this configuration can therefore also with annular Arrangement of the inlets and / or outlets a non-rotationally symmetric entrance surface and / or a non-rotationally symmetrical exit surface are formed. According to one embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the number of channels is at least 30 and in particular in the range between 30 and SO. The total flow is to be divided into a particularly high number of partial flows after this training. This has the advantage that the speed and direction of this partial flow can be set individually for each partial flow, so that even complex shapes and velocity profiles of the filler jet can be achieved. In addition, a high number of channels leads to a larger one

Contact surface between the flow and the channel, which reduces the risk of dripping due to the capillary action in an interruption of filling in a further embodiment of the invention, it is proposed that the central axes of the off-center channels are inclined relative to the central axis of the device by an inclination angle. Due to the inclination of the off-center channels, the partial flows in these channels can also receive a horizontal pulse in addition to a vertical pulse. This allows a particularly variable design of the shape of the filling jet. The affected channels can - in

Seen flow direction - be inclined outwards or inwards. An outward inclination spreads or divides the filling jet and directs it laterally against the walls of the packaging. In this way, the packaging is particularly gentle and largely without foaming afflicts an inward inclination, however, allows a particularly sharp, concentrated filling jet.

The inclination angle is the angle which is set between the central axis of the device and the central axis of the corresponding channel Affecting inclination inside. It is further proposed to these two embodiments that the angle of inclination of the off-center channels increases with increasing distance of the channels to the central axis of the device, in particular steadily or monotonically increases The inclination of the channels should therefore be greater the further out the channel is arranged The stronger inclination the outer channels is particularly advantageous when tilting inwards, since in this way a particularly slender, concentrated

Fill jet can be achieved. As an alternative to the aforementioned angles of inclination, it may be provided for the off-center channels that the angle of inclination is approximately 0 °

Inclination angles, for example inclination angles in the range between -0.5 ° and + 0.5 °, or by absolutely tilt-free channels, a filling jet is achieved which is neither concentrated nor scattered. The shape of the filling jet thus largely reflects the shape of the exit surface at these very low angles of inclination. This has the advantage that the shape of the filling jet is particularly accurate to the shape of the

Packaging may be adapted, which contributes to better shielding of spatters According to a further embodiment of the invention, each inlet of a channel has a first cross-sectional area and each outlet of a channel has a second cross-sectional area and the second cross-sectional area of at least one channel is larger than the first cross-sectional area of this channel. Preferably, the second cross-sectional area of each channel is greater than the first cross-sectional area of that channel. In other words, it increases

Cross-sectional area of the channels in the flow direction, ie from the inlet in the direction of the outlet. The enlargement of the cross-sectional area can be uniform and continuous or monotonous. According to the laws of fluid mechanics, in particular the law of Bernoulli, an increase in the cross-sectional area leads to a proportional decrease in the flow velocity. This formation of the channels thus leads to a slowing of the flowing in the channel Partial flow. The quotient of the first cross-sectional area and the second cross-sectional area is therefore always smaller than one and represents a measure of the degree of deceleration. This quotient can therefore also be referred to as a "deceleration factor", while its inverse value can be referred to as an "acceleration factor".

For this embodiment, it is further proposed that the quotient of the first cross-sectional area and the second cross-sectional area is in the range between 0.35 and 0.75 for each channel. This means that the cross-sectional area at the inlet of each individual channel is only about 35% to 75%. The cross-sectional area at the outlet of this channel is every single channel should therefore to a clear

Increase of the cross-sectional area and consequent slowing down of the flow, which lies within the said range. It can be provided that the quotient of the first Querschnittsfiäche and the second

Cross-sectional area - ie the deceleration factor - is identical for each channel; alternatively, the quotients may also vary within said range between the channels, so that the slowing of the flow for each channel may be individually adjusted. Finally, another teaching of the invention provides that the off-center channels are at a distance from the central axis of the device and that the quotient of the first cross-sectional area and the second cross-sectional area decreases with increasing distance of the off-center channels to the central axis of the device,

especially steadily or monotonically sinking This teaching thus provides that the quotient of the first cross-sectional area and the second cross-sectional area-that is, the deceleration factor-is smaller for the outer channels than for the further inner channels. The flow should therefore be slowed down more in the outer channels than in the more inward channels. Preferably, the further down the channel the lower the deceleration factor The device described above can be used in all the illustrated embodiments particularly well for filling food, in particular for the aseptic filling of food. The foods may be, for example, milk, fruit sauces or yoghurt.

The invention will now be described with reference to a preferred one

In the drawing: FIG. 1a shows a filling nozzle known from the prior art, FIG.

Fig. 1b shows an enlarged section of the plate of the filling nozzle of Fig. 1a in

Cross-section; Fig. 1c, the plate of the filling nozzle of Fig. La along the marked in Fig. La

Section plane Ic-Ic,

2a shows a device according to the invention for changing the jet shape of flowable products in cross section.

2b shows the device of Figure 2a in cross section along that in Fig. 2a

Plotted sectional plane Ilb-IIb, and

FIG. 2c shows the device from FIG. 2a in cross section along that in FIG. 2a

Plotted sectional plane IIc-IIc

1, a filling nozzle 1 known from the prior art is shown in cross section. The filling nozzle 1 comprises a body 2 and a round plate 3 for shaping the flow. The plate 3 can be exchangeably inserted into the body 2 by fitting a circumferential flange 4 provided on the plate 3 on a projection 5 provided on the body 2. The plate 3 has several holes 6, which allow a - shown schematically in Fig. La with arrows - flow through the filling nozzle 1 with flow products. After this

Outlet of the filling nozzle 1, the flow products form a jet 7, whose outer contour is shown in Fig. 1 Through the body 2 and the plate 3 centrally extends a central axis eighth

1a shows an enlarged section of the plate 3 of the filling nozzle 1 from FIG. 1a in cross-section. The areas of the plate 3 already described in connection with FIG. 1a are provided with corresponding reference symbols in FIG. 1b. The plate 3 has a top 9 for entry of the flowable products and a bottom 10 for discharge of the flowable products. The top 9 is connected through the holes 6 with the bottom 10. Each of the holes 6 has an inlet 11 and an outlet 12, wherein the inlets 11 of the holes 6 are associated with the top 9 and wherein the outlets 12 of the holes 6 are associated with the bottom 10. In the plate 3 shown in Fig. Lb all holes 6 are parallel to the central axis 8 of the plate 3 and thus have no inclination. In addition, the cross-sectional area of all the holes 6 is identical and does not change in the flow direction, ie from the inlet 11 to the outlet 12. The top 9 is formed by a plane in which the inlets 11 of the holes 6 are located. In contrast, the bottom 10 is formed by a curved surface in which the outlets 12 of the holes 6 are located. The underside 10 is curved in such a way that those holes 6 which lie in the vicinity of the central axis 8 are longer than those holes 6 which lie in the edge region of the plate 3. At the edges of the outlets 12 circumferential chamfers 13 may be provided. In Fig. 1c, the plate 3 of the filling nozzle 1 of Fig. La along the in Fig. 1a

drawn sectional plane Ic-Ic, ie viewed from the bottom Also in Fig. 1c are already in connection with Fig. 1a and Fig. 1b

described areas of the plate 3 provided with corresponding reference numerals. For reasons of better clarity, FIG. 1 c omits an illustration of the body 2. FIG. 1 c illustrates that a multiplicity of holes 6 are arranged closely next to one another, and almost the entire surface of the plate 3 taking. The filling nozzle 1 shown in Fig. 1a, Fig. 1b and Fig. 1c largely corresponds to the filling nozzle known from EP 2078678 AI.

FIG. 2a shows a device 14 according to the invention for changing the jet shape of flowable products in cross-section. The device 14 has an integrally formed housing 15 which comprises an entry region 16 for entry of the flowable products and an exit region 17 for exit of the flowable products between the entry region 16 and the outlet region 17 are arranged a plurality of channels 18 for the passage of the flowable products in the housing 15. The channels 18 each have an inlet 19 associated with the inlet 19 and an outlet 20 associated with the outlet 17. In the device 14 shown in Figure 2a are both the inlet region 16 - and thus also the inlets 19 - and the outlet region 17 - and thus the outlets 20 - arranged in a plane; where the two planes are parallel to each other. Finally, the device 14 has on its upper side a circumferential flange 21, in which a plurality of bores 22 are introduced. Above the holes 22, the device 14 can be connected, for example, with a filling machine. FIG. 2a further shows a valve rod 23 with a sealing element 24. Although these components do not belong to the device 14, they serve to explain their mode of operation. In order to interrupt the flow-through of the device 14, represented schematically by arrows in FIG. 2a, the valve rod 23 is lowered; so that the sealing element 24 is pressed onto the inlet region 16 and closes the inlets 19 of the channels 18 arranged there. Through the valve rod 23, the sealing element 24 and the device 14, a central axis 25 runs centrally.

2a, the channels 18 can be subdivided into a central channel 18 'and into a plurality of off-center channels 18' 'The central axis of the central channel 18' corresponds to the central axis 25 '

Contraption; the central channel 18 'thus runs straight down and is perpendicular to the two planes of the inlet region 16 and the outlet region 17. The central axes of the off-center channels 18 ", however, are inclined relative to the central axis 25 of the device 14 by an inclination angle α

Inclination angle α of the off-center channels 18 "increases steadily or monotonically with increasing distance of the channels 18" to the central axis 25 of the device 14. In other words, those eccentric channels 18 "with the greatest distance to the central axis 18" - ie the radially outwardly hibenden channels 18 "- the most inclined The off-center channels 18" are seen in the flow direction in the direction of the central axis 25 inclined; so that the outlets 20 of the channels 18 "are closer to the central axis 25 than the inlets 19 of the channels 18".

The channels 18 of the device 14 shown by way of example in FIG. 2a have a first cross-sectional area 26 and a second cross-sectional area 27, wherein the first cross-sectional area 26 is measured at the inlets 19 and the second cross-sectional area 27 at the outlets 20 is measured. The channels 18 of the device 14 shown in Fig. 2a are characterized in that the second

Cross-sectional area 27 of each channel 18 is greater than the first cross-sectional area 26 of this channel 18. This concerns both the central channel 18 'and the

Off-center channels 18 ". In other words, the cross-sectional area of the channels 18 in the direction of flow increases from their inlets 19 to their

Outlets 20.

FIG. 2b shows the device 14 from FIG. 2a in cross section along the sectional plane IIb-IIb shown in FIG. 2a. In Fig.2b is therefore a look at the

Entry area 16 of the device 14 shown The already described in connection with Fig.2a areas of the device 14 are provided in Fig.2b with corresponding reference numerals. In FIG. 2B it can be seen that the device 14 has a circular cross section. The circular area of the inlet region 16 can be subdivided into sealing regions 28 and four inlet regions 29 in the device 14 shown by way of example in FIG. 2b, each of which covers approximately a region of 90 ° covering the sealing areas 28 are for sealing installation of - in Fig.2b not shown - sealing element 24 determined in two of the four inlet regions 29 nine eccentric channels 18 "are arranged in the other two inlet regions 29 eleven eccentric channels 18" are arranged in all inlet regions 29, the inlets 19 of the channels 18 "can be seen The center of the inlet region 16 is the central channel 18 ', and the inlets 19 of the channels 18 are those shown in FIG

Device 14 has a specific pattern: Around the central channel 18 ', the off-center channels 18 "are arranged circularly on three concentric rings. The first, innermost ring has ten channels 18" (two inlet regions

29 with two channels 18 "and two inlet regions 29, each with three channels 18"). The second ring has eighteen channels 18 "(two inlet areas 29 with four each

Channels 18 "and two inlet regions 29 with five channels 18") and the third - not fully occupied - ring has twelve channels 18 "(four inlet areas 29 with three channels 18") · In total, there are forty-one channels 18. In the device 14 shown by way of example in FIG. 2b, the inlets 19 together form an entrance area 30 lying in the entry area 16 with a width B and a height H. The entry area 30 is formed by lines or curves which enclose all the inlets 19 and thus the edges of the tangent to external inlets 19. The twelve inlets 19 on the outermost ring are arranged in two opposite and separate groups so that the height H of the Etntrittsfläche

30 is substantially greater than its width B. The shape of the entrance surface 30 is approximately rectangular.

FIG. 2c shows the device 14 from FIG. 2a in cross section along the sectional plane IIc-IIc shown in FIG

Exit region 17 of the device 14 shown The already described in connection with Fig.2a or Figbb areas of the device 14 are provided in Fig. 2c with corresponding reference numerals. In contrast to the surface of the inlet region 16, the surface of the outlet region 17 is no longer subdivided into sealing regions 28 and inlet regions 29 since firstly there is no surface for the abutment of the

Di chtelements 24 is needed and secondly more area for those in this area enlarged channel cross sections is needed. Therefore, the channels 18 in the plane of the exit region 17 are separated only by very narrow webs 31. Also in the exit region 17, the off-center channels 18 "are arranged on three concentric rings around the central channel 18 ', of which the outermost ring is not complete is busy

In the device 14 shown by way of example in FIG. 2c, the outlets 20 together form an outlet surface 32, which is located in the outlet region 17 and has a width B 'and a height H'. The exit surface 32 is formed by lines or curves that enclose all the outlets 20 and thus tangent the edges of the outer outlets 20. The twelve outlets 20 on the outermost ring are in two

arranged opposite and separate groups so that the height H 'of the exit surface 32 is substantially greater than its width B'. The shape of the exit surface 32 is therefore approximately rectangular.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1: filling nozzle

2: body

3: plate

4: flange

5: lead

6: hole

7: beam

8: central axis

9: top

10: bottom

11: inlet

12: outlet

13: bevel

14: device

15: housing

16: entrance area

17: exit area

18, 18 ', 18 ": channel

19 inlet

20 outlet

21 flange

22 bore

23 valve rod

24 sealing element

25 central axis

26 first cross-sectional area

27 second cross-sectional area

28 sealing area

29 inlet area

30 entrance area

31 footbridge

32 exit surface

H, H ': height

B, B ': width

Claims

Patent claims

1. Device (14) for changing the jet shape of flowable products, in particular food, comprising:

- an entry area (16) for the entry of the flowable products,

- an exit area (17) for the flowable products to exit, and

- several channels (18) for conveying the flowable products,

- wherein each channel (18) has an inlet (19) assigned to the inlet area (16) and an outlet (20) assigned to the outlet area (17);

- wherein the inlets (19) together form an entry surface (30) in the entry area (16) with a width (B) and a height (H), and

- wherein the outlets (20) together form an outlet surface (32) located in the outlet area (17) with a width (B') and a height (H'), characterized in that

the exit surface (32) is non-rotationally symmetrical

2. Device according to claim 1,

characterized in that

the height (H') of the exit surface (32) is greater than its width (B'). 3. Device according to claim 1 or 2,

characterized in that

the height (H') of the exit surface (32) is at least 1,

3 times, in particular at least 1.4 times larger than its width (B ').

4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3,

characterized in that

the height (H) of the entry surface (30) is greater than its width (B).

5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4,

characterized in that

the height (H) of the entry surface (30) is at least 1.3 times, in particular at least 1.4 times larger than its width (B).

6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5,

characterized in that

the inlets [19) and/or the outlets (20) of the channels are arranged in one plane.

7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6,

characterized in that

the inlets (19) and/or the outlets (20) of the off-center channels (18") are arranged in a circle on rings around the central axis (25) of the device (14).

8. Device according to claim 7,

characterized in that

the inlets (19) and/or the outlets (20) are arranged on the outermost ring in two opposite and separate groups.

9. Device according to one of claims 1 to 8,

characterized in that

the number of channels (18) is at least 30 and in particular is in the range between 30 and 50

10. Device according to one of claims 1 to 9,

characterized in that

the central axes of the eccentric channels (18") are arranged inclined by an angle of inclination (α) relative to the central axis (25) of the device (14).

11. Device according to claim 10,

characterized in that

the angle of inclination (α) is in the range between 1° and 6° 12. Device according to claim 10 or 11,

characterized in that

the angle of inclination (a) of the off-center channels (18") increases as the distance between the channels (18") and the central axis (25) of the device (14) increases 13. Device according to one of claims 1 to 10,

characterized in that

the angle of inclination (α) is approximately 0° 14. Device according to one of claims 1 to 13,

characterized in that

each inlet (19) of a channel (18) has a first cross-sectional area (26) and each outlet (20) of a channel (18) has a second cross-sectional area (27) and that the second cross-sectional area (27) of at least one channel (18) is larger is as the first cross-sectional area (26) of this channel. 15. Device according to claim 14,

characterized in that

the quotient of the first cross-sectional area (26) and the second

Cross-sectional area (27) for each channel (18) is in the range between 0.35 and 0.75 16. Device according to claim 14 or 15,

characterized in that

the off-center channels (18") are at a distance from the central axis (25).

Have device (14) and that the quotient of the first Cross-sectional area (26) and the second cross-sectional area (27) decreases as the distance between the off-center channels (18") and the central axis of the device (14) increases. 17. Use of a device according to one of claims 1 to 16 for filling food, in particular for aseptic filling from

foods.